WEEKLY TREND
Unpacking Digital Culture
How the Internet Is Saving Culture, Not Killing It (NYT)
It’s easy to look at the past few decades and think that the Internet is ruining culture– look at bookstores, newspapers, the music industry, for proof. But though technology threatens the old order in cultural businesses, the early years of the 21st century are shaping up to be the beginning of a remarkable renaissance in art and culture. In just about every cultural medium, be it music, movies, books, or visual arts, digital technology is letting in new voices, creating new formats for exploration, and allowing fans and other creators to participate in a glorious remixing of the work. Artists have never been closer to their fans, and fans have never had more power to support and stabilize the artists they love.
CNN’s New Streaming Series is Black Mirror Meets Westworld (CNN)
It’s hard to overstate tech’s influence on human behavior. That’s why CNN is tackling the uncomfortable questions about our complicated relationship with technology through a new series made exclusively for streaming. Featuring stories of those falling in love with robots, re-creating digital versions of the deceased, experimenting with VR therapy in psychiatric wards and infiltrating hacker communities, ‘Mostly Human’ examines the promise and power modern technology holds, while exposing the darker side. The best part is that you can watch it all online now.
Escape to Another World (The Economist)
“As video games get better and job prospects worse, more young men are dropping out of the job market to spend their time in an alternate reality. Ryan Avent suspects this is the beginning of something big.” The Economist examines how the designers of the game of life may have structured the game to encourage young people to seek an alternate reality.
More Articles on Digital Culture:
Memes Do Not Matter
Are a third of Venmo transactions right now illegal gambling payments?
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NOW MORE THAN EVER, MUSIC IS CULTURE
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25 Songs That Tell Us Where Music is Going (NYT)
Music may be universal, but it is always tied to specific people, and therefore to the experiences and values that they share. And while the remix culture of the Internet has blurred these lines of origin, identity still shapes the art form. Today’s artists aren’t just looking to make hits; they seek to connect with audiences who share similar values, beliefs, and backgrounds. In this stunning interactive, the New York Times explores how in 2017, identity is the topic at the absolute center of our conversations about music.
More articles addressing music is culture:
Spotify Considers Restricting Biggest Releases to Paid Users
Pandora Premium: The Original Music Streaming Giant is Ready For Prime Time
